A controversial development of 81 homes between Bracknell and Ascot can move forwards despite concerns over drainage and interior design.

Recently, the developer Shanly Homes made changes and submitted details for its plan to build 81 homes at the Palm Hills Estate in London Road between Bracknell and Ascot.

The original plan proved unpopular with Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee which rejected a plan for the site in November 2020, a decision which was overturned on appeal to the planning inspectorate in July 2021.

Councillors on the committee continued to criticise the development while making a decision on the changes made by the developers.

Councillor Tony Virgo (Conservative, Winkfield & Cranbourne) raised serious concerns over the sewage and drainage capacity of the site.

He said: “The residents of Bracknell Forest have got to be assured that the sewage is adequately dealt with.”

However, planning officer Simon Roskilly determined that the applied for changes were “minor” and not significant enough to warrant changes the drainage strategy.

Mr Roskilly also noted that Shanly Homes has submitted revised documentation that clarifies that there is no need for a re-assessment.

There were also concerns about the inclusion of studies, which cllr Dorothy Hayes MBE (Conservative, Ascot) feared could be used as additional bedrooms.

Shanly Homes had applied for internal modifications  to 35 of the homes that will make up the development.

These changes involved re-arranging designs for 12 of the proposed homes to relocate bedrooms upstairs and use the former ground floor bedrooms as studies.

Furthermore, the developer proposed enlarged ground floors for 21 of the proposed homes and greater garage depth for one of the new houses.

Ultimately, there was no change to the mix of 49 three-bedroom, 15 one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom and nine four-bedroom homes approved by the planning inspectorate.

Addressing fellow councillor fears over the possibility of additional bedrooms, cllr Colin Dudley (Conservative, Crown Wood) said: “There are no additional bedrooms being sought.”

However, fears over additional bedrooms lingered.

Cllr Dr Gareth Barnard (Conservative, Warfield Harvest Ride) said: “I totally accept that a householder can come in and change the internal layout to the house and create an extra room.

“And if it was just to one property I don’t think it would impact on the overall situation one way or the other, but just imagine if that becomes the established way of doing things?”

Summing the argument up, cllr Dudley said: “These properties are three bedroom properties.

“There is a condition to say that they are  three bedroom properties and there is also a condition that we ask the developer to send us the marketing material to show that they are being marketed as three bedroom properties before any phase is finished.”

The committee approved the plan by six votes, with cllr Hayes abstaining.

You can view the approved plan by typing reference 22/00537/FUL into the council’s planning portal.

The Palm Hills Estate used to be made up of a guest house and two residential propertie, which have since been demolished.